I am starting a new feature on my blog called “Quito Restaurants: Splurge vs. Steal.” Every so often, I will write about two restaurants in a certain category of food (such as Thai or Mexican food): one that is affordable and of good value and one that is expensive but worth the splurge. We all deserve to splurge once in a while, right?
The first post in this series is on sushi. Quito has several good and not-so-good sushi places, and some of those not-so-good places also happen to be not-so-cheap. So try these, and you’ll never have a sushi setback again:
Splurge: Noe–Noe is an upscale sushi bar with a few locations throughout the city. California rolls here run upwards of $7, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t order one of the more creative chef creations, such as the Rollo Kanebi ($10.30), a sushi roll filled with prawns, crab and octopus and topped with an orange, soy and miso sauce. Sashimi choices range from tuna and salmon to scallops, costing up to $15.90 for five pieces. If you don’t love sushi, there are plenty of seafood and meat mains to choose from, including baked salmon stuffed with crab in a passionfruit sauce (accompanied by grilled shrimp) ($21.10), prawn tempura with veggies in a ginger sauce ($16.50) and simple grilled beef ($29.90). Oh, and Noe has a delivery service…to kick those cravings on a cold, rainy night!
Address: Isabel La Católica 24, La Floresta; also in El Jardín mall, CCI mall and Quicentro mall food courts; and in Cumbayá: Manabí and Francisco de Orellana, Plaza Cumbaya
Steal: Fuji Sushi–This hole-in-the-wall sushi place may not catch your eye if you are walking by, but for the price, the sushi is more than decent. You can get an eight-piece California roll for $4.50, and it comes with miso soup and a piece of tofu. For the fried food lovers out there, a heaping plate of vegetable tempura only costs $3. Of course, there are fancier, more expensive (though not expensive, per say) sushi options as well, in addition to teriyaki dishes and some Chinese specialties. However, you can easily get a satisfying Asian meal here for around $10, drink included.
Address: Robles 609 and Juan León Mera, La Mariscal
